Words John Edwards | Pictures Noah Shulman-Miller

JUSTIN Amaluzor scored an opportunist equaliser as Altrincham were put through their paces, and how, by a strong and at times uncompromising Salford City side at The J.Davidson Stadium.

The Robins have gradually stepped up their preparations for the new campaign since launching their pre-season programme at Colne, and there can be little doubt that League Two Salford - quick, lively and aggressive - provided them with by far their toughest test so far.

Karl Robinson's side went in front after 25 minutes, but Alty stuck to their guns and showed they were up for the challenge of facing opponents from a higher level as Amaluzor punished a goalkeeping error with a smartly-taken leveller on the half-hour.

Salford looked sharp going forward early on, and it needed a timely block by Lewis Banks to prevent a 15-yard drive by Kelly Nmai turning into a test of Ethan Ross' reflexes in only the second minute.

The pitch was in perfect condition, and Alty began to use the flat surface to their advantage with some slick approach play that lacked only a little more penetration in and around the Salford area.

Clear-cut chances were proving hard to come by, but one fell Alty's way in the 25th minute when Amaluzor played a delightful ball inside the right-back that released Alex Newby for a clear run on goal.

The Robins winger had support in the middle but opted to go it alone and possibly may have regretted doing so, as his mishit shot sailed wide of the near post.

Worse followed for Alty a few seconds later, as the ball fell for Nmai on the edge of the six-yard area and he made no mistake with a low finish.

Alty were level after half-an-hour with a goal that may serve as a timely reminder to Salford keeper Jamie Jones that over-confidence can sometimes prove costly.

Venturing out of his area to intercept an over-hit through ball, he controlled it on his chest, only to decide against clearing his lines in favour of trying to sidestep a couple of challenges.

The first was negotiated safely enough, but it was always a dangerous manoeuvre, and when the second led to a hurried, half-hit clearance, Amaluzor pounced on the loose ball and hit a shot-on-the-turn that bounced tantalisingly towards an unguarded net.

Jones scampered back but couldn't prevent it rolling over the line and into an empty goal, as Amaluzor raised an arm in celebration and the hapless keeper raised a hand in a sheepish acknowledgement of his blunder.

There could be no doubting the commitment of Salford's outfield players, with tackles flying in, not all of them entirely legal, and Amaluzor and Newby among those left wincing at being on the receiving end.

They continued in the same fully committed vein in the second half, rapidly closing down space whenever Alty were in possession and giving Robins players precious little time on the ball.

It was an approach that almost led to a second goal for the visitors after 50 minutes, when Alty surrendered possession on the edge of their own area and Conor McAleny curled a shot narrowly wide of the far post.

Salford's energetic press caught Alty out again on the hour, as they tried to play the ball out on the left of the area but were dispossessed by more quickfire closing down.

It gave Tosin Olopade the chance to cut the ball back to Liam Humbles, whose fierce first-time shot was brilliantly saved by Ross, diving instinctively to his right to parry it to safety.

The planned wholesale changes were made shortly after, with 10 Alty substitutes coming on to join Joe Nuttall, who had replaced Amaluzor in the first half.

The replacements looked bright and lively for Alty, but Salford were doing most of the pressing, and it took an expertly-executed sliding challenge from Joel Bailey to deny them a clear chance in the 80th minute

Nuttall almost won it for Alty in the 87th minute, shrugging off one challenge after another in a superb run across the face of the area before dragging a shot fractionally wide of the left-hand post.

The Alty striker threatened again with virtually the last kick of the game, an audacious effort from near the halfway line that the keeper was relieved to grab as he backpedalled.

All in all, an excellent work-out for the Robins, ahead of hitting the road again for their next pre-season friendly away to Chester on Saturday.

Altrincham Ross (Fallon, 63'); Banks (Trialist, 63'), E.Jones (Trialist, 63'), Baines (c) (Bailey, 63'), Cooper (J.Jones (63'), Osborne (German, 63'), Kosylo (Weaver, 63'), Wilson (Haygarth, 63'), Crawford (Trialist, 63'), Amaluzor (Nuttall, 31'), Newby (Trialist, 63').

Salford J.Jones (Young, 71'); Berkoe (Luamba, 71'), Humbles (Edwards, 71'), Stockton (Dackers, 71'), Nmai (Woodburn, 71'), Taylor (Lund, 71'), Tilt (c) (Malcolm, 81'), Chester (Trialist, 71'), McAleny (Davies, 71'), Olopade (Chesters, 71'), Trialist (Trialist, 71').

Attendance 842

Next Up

We travel to Chester on Saturday afternoon for a 3pm kick-off at the Deva Stadium. Away fans will be housed in the West Stand.

Tickets for the game are available from our hosts here priced £10 Adults; £8 Concessions; £5 18-21s; £3 12-17s; FREE under-12s